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Achilles tendon is the tendon of the calf muscles attached to the heel of the foot. Its inflammation is diagnosed by the following features.

1. Pain around the tendon.
2. Swelling around the tendon.

First aid

1. Initial treatment is aimed at reducing local oedema. Give rest and apply ice packs locally to reduce pain and resolve inflammation.
2. Give paracetamol for pain.
3. Use a heel raise to reduce the stretch of the tendon. It should initially be non-weight bearing.
4. Send him to a hospital afterwards.

RETROCALCANEAL PAIN

It is seen in adolescents during the rapid growth spurt between the age of 11 and 15 years. There is tenderness on compression of the medial and lateral aspects of the heel.

First aid

1. Give total rest initially to allow the pain to subside.
2. Give paracetamol for pain.
3. Advise use of shock absorbing heel pads in all shoes.
4. Send him to a hospital afterwards.

TENNIS ELBOW

It occurs mainly in tennis players. It is characterized by soft tissue pain between shoulder and wrist. Repeated activity causes multiple small injuries of the common extensor origin. The condition is diagnosed by the following features.

1. There is pain over the region of the lateral epicondyle.
2. It extends distally.
3. It increases with extension of the wrist against resistance.